HOME

Daegu volunteers provide nearly 12,000 hours of community service

By Mathew GleesonMay 17, 2022

CAMP WALKER, Republic of Korea — The U.S. Army Garrison Daegu command team personally thanked dozens of community difference-makers during a volunteer awards ceremony May 11 at the Evergreen Club.

USAG Daegu Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Schoellhorn and USAG Daegu Senior Enlisted Leader Command Sgt. Maj. Jonathon J. Blue presented the volunteers with certificates of appreciation for outstanding service.

In 2021 local volunteers took the installation's motto of "Make a Difference" to heart, combining for a total of 11,923.75 volunteer hours.

"If you look at the number of hours and you think about the size of our community, that number is really, truly staggering," said Schoellhorn.

From left, USAG Daegu Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Schoellhorn, USAG Daegu Army Community Service Program Manager Kyon Wang, and...
From left, USAG Daegu Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Schoellhorn, USAG Daegu Army Community Service Program Manager Kyon Wang, and
USAG Daegu Senior Enlisted Leader Command Sgt. Maj. Jonathon J. Blue pose with a check at Camp Walker, Republic of Korea, May 11, 2022. The numbers listed on the check reflect the amount of hours logged by USAG Daegu volunteers in 2021 and the estimated monetary value of those hours. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Mathew Gleeson) VIEW ORIGINAL

The contributions of the volunteers are many and varied — coaching youth sports, helping Soldiers at the USO, supporting blood drives and more. Although they serve Daegu in different ways, Schoellhorn said all volunteers share a common theme of commitment to their U.S.-ROK community.

"We're Daegu and without all of those volunteer hours, without all of you we couldn't be who we are. I just want to say how humbling it is just to be a part of this. To just be in the glow, the shadow of everything that the community does on a daily basis."
The U.S. Army Garrison command team poses with volunteers at an awards ceremony at Camp Walker, Republic of Korea, May 11, 2022. The USAG Daegu volunteers accounted for nearly 12,000 hours of community service in 2021 and were personally thanked...
The U.S. Army Garrison command team poses with volunteers at an awards ceremony at Camp Walker, Republic of Korea, May 11, 2022. The USAG Daegu volunteers accounted for nearly 12,000 hours of community service in 2021 and were personally thanked by USAG Daegu Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Schoellhorn and USAG Daegu Senior Enlisted Leader Command Sgt. Maj. Jonathon J. Blue for their selfless service at the event. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Mathew Gleeson) VIEW ORIGINAL

A total of 37 volunteers were formally recognized at the awards ceremony, five of whom received special distinction as Volunteers of the Year in specific categories.

  • Active Duty Volunteer of the Year: Maj. Rockie Ventura
  • Family Member Volunteer of the Year: Michaela Cocco
  • Youth Volunteer of the Year: Kaitlyn Gonyer
  • Korean National Volunteer of the Year: Myeongrak Hong
  • Youth Sports Volunteer of the Year: Shaquina Mosley
A young guest peeks out from behind the chair of her mother during the dining portion of a volunteer awards ceremony at Camp Walker, Republic of Korea, May 11, 2022. The U.S. Army Garrison Daegu command team personally thanked dozens of volunteers...
A young guest peeks out from behind the chair of her mother during the dining portion of a volunteer awards ceremony at Camp Walker, Republic of Korea, May 11, 2022. The U.S. Army Garrison Daegu command team personally thanked dozens of volunteers at the event, who helped account for nearly 12,000 volunteer hours in 2021. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Mathew Gleeson) VIEW ORIGINAL

Addressing a crowd of volunteers surrounded by their friends and family, Schoellhorn reiterated his appreciation after handing out the awards.

"I'm just here to say thank you. We could not do it without you. We could not do it without the example you set and the standard you set for our community. Those of you that dedicated the time, effort, and energy of the community made a difference, so thank you."

RELATED STORIES